{"id":2303,"date":"2013-10-23T19:05:07","date_gmt":"2013-10-23T23:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/photoblog.michaelhalminski.com\/?p=2303"},"modified":"2013-10-24T18:57:27","modified_gmt":"2013-10-24T22:57:27","slug":"the-paddle-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/photoblog.michaelhalminski.com\/?p=2303","title":{"rendered":"The Paddle Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing can pay tribute, to a surfer who has passed away, more than a ceremonial paddle out<\/strong><\/em>. It is surfing’s honorable sendoff. We put the word out to do this for Robin and didn’t know what kind of turn out to expect.<\/p>\n

On October 5th at noon, participants began arriving at the Rodanthe Pier for an informal covered dish beach party. By about 1:00 there were well over 150 people on site to pay their respects. We began paddling out at 1:15. It looked like about 80 people, aged 8 and up, on surfboards, a few kayaks and boogie boards.<\/p>\n

It was slick calm, warm and sunny, ideal conditions for Robin’s memorial.<\/p>\n

The photographs shown here are a compilation of several contributing photographers:<\/p>\n

Amberly Dyer, April Contestable, Bev Martin, Jim and Marcy Martin, Ben Tran, Denise and Mike Halminski<\/p>\n

\"tent\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"under<\/a><\/p>\n

\"big<\/a><\/p>\n

Kelly Schoolcraft and Russell Blackwood were on hand to pay their respects<\/p>\n

\"scooter\"<\/a>\u00a0So were Jay and Scooter.<\/p>\n

\"under<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Richard\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"crabs\"<\/a>\u00a0There was plenty to eat, especially when Eric came in hoisting a bushel of steamed crabs.<\/p>\n

\"15<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Chandra\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chandra Rutledge made three beautiful leis for the occasion.<\/p>\n

\"lei\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Denise\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Denise was my co-conspirator for this great event.<\/p>\n

\"Mike\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Beverly Bull gave me some bird of paradise flowers to throw out on the sea, along with Chandra’s orchid lei.<\/p>\n

\"tatoo\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"cousins\"<\/a>\u00a0Our special guests were Robin’s cousins, Rob and Jean Marie from Delaware. They were accompanied by their spouses, Jeff (left) and Bev (center). There were many great stories shared by them.<\/p>\n

\"charlie<\/a><\/p>\n

Charlie and Betz Mullen had it made in the shade..<\/p>\n

\"jo<\/a>\u00a0Jo and Buddy Brothers did too.<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/a><\/p>\n

Eric Anglin was ready to go out.<\/p>\n

\"going<\/a>\u00a0Let the paddle out begin!<\/p>\n

\"going\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"sponge<\/a><\/p>\n

\"gathering\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"kayakers\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"big<\/a><\/p>\n

\"bros\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"kayak\"<\/a><\/p>\n

GoPro YouTube video: courtesy of Brett Butler<\/p>\n